Bringing Babies to Work

Babies in the Office: Brilliant or Bad Idea?

The Parenting in the Workplace Institute was established just a few months ago with the goal of promoting the idea of bringing babies to work. They're not referring to company-sponsored childcare, rather, they propose "increased implementation of programs in which children are welcome in the workplace with parents." How would you feel if your company allowed babies in your workplace?

Why not, instead, expand telecommuting capabilities? Let moms work from home and not drag their sleepy, hungry, grumpy babies to the office and possibly make others uncomfortable or distracted. Telecommuting is very cost-efficient and environmentally anyway; without people in the office, the workplace owners don't have to pay to keep the lights on, etc. and time spent on the road declines. There are times when you really need to be in the office, but, depending on your job, there are plenty of things that can be done from home just as effectively.

I suppose if you work in an office with a door that shuts, 1 kid would not be a big deal. BUT... I don't want to have to listen to someone else's baby crying or kids fighting or running around. I think it's just a bad idea. I remember visiting my dad at work briefly as a kid and I was bored in about 2 seconds. But I think office day care is a great idea. Workplaces should be supportive of parents but you don't need to turn a cubicle into a preschool.

Wow, I dont usually see myself as a laid back easy going kind of person but after going back and reading the comments from everyone else so far, I feel like I'm way off on the opposite end of the spectrum from y'all! :halo:
I think there are just some people that are like, EVERYTHING bothers them. :cry:
I mean, if you're in a good mood and are a flexible, adaptable type of person (3 things that make for a great employee by the way!), having a couple of kids in the office isnt going to bother you or affect your work.
I dont think the majority of offices have employees that are all at that same age where they ALL have young children. :baby:

I would love it!
I dont have a baby or kids but I have a dog and I hate leaving him every day!
I could foresee this leading to bringing your dog into work, so I would support it.
Plus, I wouldnt give a rip if it was distracting. I love distractions! :D

I don't even like having to listen to co-workers who have extended phone conversations (we have an open cubicle system), let alone babies screaming, yelling, and running around. On-site daycare is a good idea, but bringing children to work is definitely a no.

This is the worse idea in the history of crappy ideas. That would annoy other workers and it would bother the parent as well at the WRONG time.
If a parent has a meeting and a child is crying or throwing a temper tantrum, then the company could loose money because they're dealing back and fourth with crying, temper tantrum, or sick child.

This is the worse idea in the history of crappy ideas. That would annoy other workers and it would bother the parent as well at the WRONG time. If a parent has a meeting and a child is crying or throwing a temper tantrum, then the company could loose money because they're dealing back and fourth with crying, temper tantrum, or sick child.

I would quit my job and work somewhere that didn't allow kids. It probably depends on how well the indvidual child behaves, but after being subjected to horrible parenting whenever I go out in public I really don't trust anyone to make a good judgement call on their kids or keep them in check.

I would hate it if children were in my office on a regular basis. It would be so distracting. We do have two dogs in my office but they are extremely well-behaved and practically silent.My office does have a private little room with a couch for nursing mothers to go when they need to pump.

I would hate it if children were in my office on a regular basis. It would be so distracting. We do have two dogs in my office but they are extremely well-behaved and practically silent.
My office does have a private little room with a couch for nursing mothers to go when they need to pump.

Sometimes my boss and his wife bring their kids in the office, and every single time I leave my desk--even if just to go to the bathroom or something--I come back to find them on my computer, playing games. :rant: So I feel your sister's pain, carhornsinapril :)

i don't think it's fair to those around you. my sister worked in an office where the bosses (a married couple) brought their kids to the office regularly, and it was hell for her. she still hates blonde children because of that situation.

uh, i'm sorry but i don't want kids...and i certainly don't want them in my place of business working alongside. that's what daycare is for. I'm ALL for having daycare at jobsites, but having the kid attached to you while at work? please. why should all of us be subjected to that? it's your choice to have the kid, so why should i have to adjust my working to you needing to bring along your kid.

I think we all work a bit too much and any extra time we're able to have with our families is a good thing... even if it is at work. Of course it would have to depend on the situation. I can't imagine babies at construction sites or strip clubs. ;)